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Caption

Agricultural aerial drone survey. Team of scientists (background) preparing to launch an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) from a catapult (foreground). The aim is to survey vegetation on the ground as part of a study of how vegetation cover changes over time. The drone will be controlled by remote control by a pilot and technician (centre left). Other researchers receive data at the ground control station (upper centre). The research is by the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) of the US Department of Agriculture. Photographed at the Jornada Experimental Range, Las Cruces, New Mexico, USA.